Research SLAM: Seven vie for top title
On Thursday, Aug. 31, a group of seven contestants presented their science before judges and an audience of Ames National Laboratory employees at the Research SLAM, a competition designed to promote and develop communications skills in early career scientists.
Contestants were allowed a single powerpoint slide, but no other props or media were allowed. 
The judges, who comprised both scientific and operational staff, selected the top three finalists from the group, who scored highest on presentation, engagement, and audience comprehension.
The top three finalists were:
First Place, and $250 prize: Anirudha Karati, “Water! It had to be you…”
Second Prize and $200 prize: Yunpu Zhao “A Second Life for Waste Plastics”
Third Prize and $150 prize: Ratul Chowdury “La Confidential”
Yunpu Zhao was also selected by a vote from the audience for the People’s Choice Award.
The top three finalists will have videos of their presentations submitted to the National Research SLAM. The National Research SLAM will select a finalist who will attend the national competition, tentatively scheduled for November 15, 2023 in Washington, D.C.
Congratulations to the top finishers, and a round of applause for all who participated! Education and Outreach thanks all who attended, and extends a special thank you to judges: Tanya Prozorov, Clay Miller, Amy Helgerson, Long Qi, Geri Derner, and Joe Nolin.
Get to know: Pete Chupas
Communications sat down with Pete Chupas during his first week as Ames National Laboratory’s Director of the Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering. Chupas arrives at Ames Lab from Stony Brook University, where he was a research professor in the Department of Chemistry. He is also a member of GENESIS, a U.S. DOE Energy Frontier Research Center dedicated to developing a new paradigm for functional materials synthesis.
What drew you to Ames Laboratory? What made you say to yourself ‘I want to work here’?
I’ve worked in the lab system before, 15 years at Argonne. I've always appreciated the mission driven science that
the national labs do. What drew me to Ames is its close collaboration with Iowa State University. I also just came from another university, Stony Brook. The two different types of institutions work differently, and often independently. I started my career in a national lab and at a university. The real strength of Ames is the collaborative environment, being able to interact with graduate and undergraduate students, as well as having faculty that are well-integrated within the lab. The diversity of perspectives is a little bit different here in Ames, and that makes it a special place. The full time scientists, the faculty researchers, the early career scientists, the students all approach problems in a much different way and that diversity can be really powerful in research. At the same time, the lab’s mission is right at the heart, to deliver science for the nation, for the critical needs of a nation in clean energy, and other challenges that might come.
What’s your leadership style?
I value transparency in the way that I operate, and it’s the way I think people in general should operate. I like communicating, being able to talk with anyone, and creating a positive, open, inclusive environment.
Do you have any goals in your new role?
Firstly, to spend some time getting to know the Division, getting to know the researchers, and just getting my bearings. The DMSE has a long history of strong and successful programs, and I think it provides a foundation, a lot of opportunities to continue that success and grow into new areas.
What about your own research excites you? What about materials science makes you want to get up out of bed and come to work in the morning?
I've maintained an active footprint in research my whole whole career and what really excites me is making that discovery, but also working in a team to make that discovery. I tend not to really get excited by stuff I can do by myself, but I like to be able to bring a unique perspective and work with people to solve problems that are bigger than just what one researcher could do. I think leveraging the capabilities of the lab system, whether it's user facilities or unique capabilities, opens the door to being able to make those discoveries and keep that excitement alive.
You mentioned your time at Argonne National Laboratory, so you are very familiar with the National Laboratory system. What value do you think it brings to what we do here?
I think the value of the lab system really comes from how we were established back in the 1940s, acknowledging the fact that the labs collectively can tackle much larger problems more effectively than a single researcher or research group can. That kind of mission-driven science where there's a clear outcome sought or a need to be addressed, requires research to not only deliver the science, but to translate that science into technology. What makes the national labs a special place is that you can get discovery science and usable technology delivered, all under one roof.
Pete Chupas may be reached at pchupas@ameslab.gov. His office is located in 124 Metals Development.
Terry Herrman to retire after 35 years of service to the Lab
Terry Herrman, Assistant Manager of Facilities and Engineering Services, is retiring on Oct. 2 after 35 years of service at Ames National Laboratory and Iowa State University.
Terry began his career at the Laboratory as a student worker in 1989, and was hired full-time after earning his 
Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Operations from Iowa State University in 1992.
Terry worked as a mechanical design engineer in the Engineering Services Group from 1992 until 1998. His early duties included the design, assembly, and testing of scientific equipment.
He became the supervisor of the mechanical design section in 1999 and held that position until 2002. In that position, he was responsible for the supervision of the machine shop and successfully executed several large scientific equipment fabrication projects for customers at Ames National Laboratory, Iowa State University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and private companies through the Iowa Companies Assistance Program.
Terry was promoted to management of the Engineering Services Group in 2002, and held that position for 10 years. He managed all activities of the Engineering Service Group including administration, mechanical design, the machine shop, and the electronics shop. His responsibilities expanded to include developing and managing departmental budgets, work and project schedules, personnel actions, and new equipment requests. Terry also provided his engineering expertise to lab-wide programs like activity safety reviews and DOE assessments.
Terry assumed the role of Assistant Manager of Facilities and Engineering Services in 2012 when the Facilities Services Group and Engineering Services Group were consolidated into a single department. He maintained his leadership responsibilities for the mechanical design section, machines shop, and electronics shop, but also took on additional roles in lab-wide programs like the safety review committee, emergency management, fire safety, pressure safety, suspect/counterfeit parts, hoisting and rigging, and readiness reviews.
Just prior to his retirement, Terry successfully managed several large facilities improvement projects including the Spedding Hall window replacement, Spedding Hall laboratory renovations for the NMR Center, and the site-wide fire alarm system upgrades.
Please join Facilities and Engineering Services in congratulating Terry on his long and successful career, and wish him well. FES invites all to attend an Open House on Sept. 22 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Maintenance Shop Building. Light refreshments will be served.
Richard Malmquist to retire after 38 years of service to Ames Lab
, Iowa State
Richard Malmquist, facilities mechanic, has announced his retirement on Oct. 2. Richard has worked for Ames National Laboratory in the Facilities and Engineering Services Department for over 29 years, but has worked for Iowa State University for over 38 years. Richard is a well-rounded and gifted carpenter, and the Laboratory has benefited greatly over the years from his expertise in construction, locksmithing, masonry, and moving equipment. When asked what he would miss the most, Richard said that he would miss the people he worked with. He is eager to catch up on hunting, fishing, travel, yard work, and everyday life.
Please join Facilities and Engineering Services in congratulating Richard on his long and successful career, and wish him well. FES invites all to attend an Open House on Sept. 22 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Maintenance Shop Building. Light refreshments will be served.
FY24 Energy I-Corps training available at Ames Laboratory
The Innovation Partnerships Program is excited to offer a complete virtual training course in Energy I-Corps topics to our researchers. This offering builds on past workshops we sponsored with Energy I-Corps instructor Jean Redfield. This Fall, we are partnering with Idaho National Laboratory and veteran instructor Jim Keating to offer more complete topics via a 6-week virtual course. Ames Lab researchers will be participating along with teams from INL and Jefferson Lab. Julienne Krennrich and Julie Slaughter will again be working with the Ames Lab researchers here onsite throughout the course.
What is Energy I-Corps Lite at INL?
The INL I-Corps Lite is a six-week entrepreneurship program where researchers with a research concept (intellectual property) learn to define technology value propositions, conduct customer discovery interviews with industry experts and end-users, and develop viable market pathways for their technologies. This training covers all the major elements that constitute a business model, using the Lean LaunchPad methodology developed by Steve Blank for Stanford University. The approach is based on the scientific method whereby researchers propose and immediately test business hypotheses by talking with prospective customers, and use this feedback to validate or invalidate these business hypotheses. Interested researchers can form teams of two or three people or apply to the program as an individual. Session dates are:
- Sessions one and two: Thursdays, Oct. 5 & Oct 12, 1–3 p.m. CT
- Sessions three through five: Thursdays, Oct. 26 to Nov 9, 1–3 p.m. CT
- Session six: Wednesday, Nov 15, 1–3 p.m. CT
For more information, join the upcoming virtual information session on Sep 7 at 1 p.m. CT. To apply to the program, please register here. Please direct questions to Julienne Krennrich, jmkrenn@ameslab.gov, 515-294-1202.
Attention all Chemistry Stores purchasers: purchase process changes roll out in September
Accounts Payable (AP) reminds employees who purchase from Iowa State University Chemistry Stores that requisition forms, receipts, and Ames Lab project numbers (abbreviated or full) must be submitted in order to process payment to Iowa State.
Beginning in September, a $10 charge may be assessed to projects if Accounts Payable does not have the purchase documentation when the charge is assessed to the Laboratory.
Ames Lab employees have access to Chem Stores through our relationship with Iowa State to make quick purchases of common materials the store has in stock and that are needed for daily operations.
Once a purchase at Chem Stores is complete, please scan and forward the orange/gold Chem Stores requisition form as well as the white transaction receipt with the Ames Lab project abbreviation (or full project number) listed to invoiceinbox@ameslab.gov as soon as possible. Project number information is not provided to AP by Iowa State within the report of the charges.
In September, AP will email one request for your receipts by Sept. 7. If your receipt is not received by Sept. 13, AP will contact Chem Stores for a copy and assess $10. Beginning Oct. 1, AP will no longer email requests for your receipts. AP will instead make the request directly to Chemistry Stores only, and assess the $10 charge to the project.
Please review the ServiceNow Knowledge Article under Finance describing the purchase process and routing of documents.
Please contact Jane Houk if you have any questions. AP appreciates your cooperation.
Let's talk about values: Jan Quarnstrom
This year, Ames National Laboratory introduced a new set 
of values: Creativity, Collaboration, and Community. To help employees embrace them, Insider is launching a series of monthly columns by guest writers who have been asked to share what these values mean to them and to their work. This month, IT Clerk Jan Quarnstrom explores her thoughts on Community.
Community: We care. We’re respectful. Everyone belongs.
We execute our mission by fostering an environment of openness, growth, and trust.
We value our different backgrounds and achieve more by uniting our worldviews, experiences, and areas of expertise. We believe that each person belongs fully, as an equal.
Community. There is a 'u' in the center, surrounded by other letters with other roles to play.
Likewise, you are in the center of community, surrounded and supported by your peers, with their own roles to play. You are needed here.
Your knowledge - known, valued, elevated
Your honor - respected, protected, embraced
Your drive - guided, safeguarded, given the keys to be driven
Unique individuals with diverse talent, background, history, and origin come together at this place, accepted as they are, encouraged to grow, and in turn offering this community that same acceptance and encouragement.
At some point, we have each received this grace. (No? Think harder. Still no? You’ve come to the right place.)
Let’s pay it forward. Let’s be the change we’d like to see in our world.
Mentoring Program Guide now available
Human Resources & Diversity staff have published a new mentoring program guide. Ames Laboratory’s mentoring program is an opportunity for Merit and P&S employees and Postdoctoral Research Associates to be paired with a laboratory colleague to encourage professional development through guidance, feedback and expanding one’s network. The mentoring program provides both structure and opportunity for leveraging diverse experiences across the laboratory through reciprocal relationships that foster a community of talent and encourage personal and professional development. The mentoring program guide introduces the program, outlines expectations, and provides worksheets to help facilitate regular meetings between mentors and mentees. Mentors are encouraged for new hires at the laboratory but are also open to current Merit and P&S employees (Merit, P&S), and Postdoctoral Research Associates. Please review the mentoring program guide for additional details, and contact Human Resources & Diversity (humanresources@ameslab.gov) with questions.
Ames Lab LEADership Program Leadership
In response to interest in Iowa State's new Leadership Development Certificate Program, an Ames Lab program was initiated to supplement the Iowa State program with a focus on strengthening collaborative relationships at Ames Lab and developing more advanced skills in communication and team leadership. The Ames Lab LEADership program was started in July 2023, with the acronym representing Leadership, Engagement, Applied Learning, and Development. The LEADership program is composed of 21 individuals, including researchers, operations and planning and performance professionals, with Lisa Negus, Director of Human Resources and Diversity, serving as program facilitator. Some participants are currently in leadership or supervisory roles and some are preparing for the next step in their careers. What makes this program unique is the expectation that the skills learned in group sessions are practiced in the real world and then the experiences are shared in the next in-person session, with opportunities to reflect on lessons learned and invite feedback. There are typically two sessions a month, with topics including conflict management, communicating in challenging situations, building and managing teams, coaching and developing employees and boosting team productivity. With a focus on building collaborative cross-departmental and cross-divisional relationships, the Ames Lab LEADership program intends to help prepare our next wave of leaders through the development of enhanced soft skills and trusting relationships with colleagues across the lab.
August IDEAs: Worklife and Adventure2
The WorkLife team at Iowa State University is focused on caring for our community and supporting work life
harmony. Below are some upcoming opportunities to consider. Also take a look at what is happening in Adventure2.
Adventure2 is a whole person employee well-being and engagement program is designed to support you in living your best life every day! This annual program offers fun and exciting opportunities to participate in throughout the year that support personal health and well-being, connections with colleagues across the university, and contributing to a thriving university and laboratory culture.
Mid-Morning Mindfulness
This fall, Mid-Morning Mindfulness will be live September 5 - November 20 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10-10:15 a.m. Join your Iowa State colleagues twice a week for a 15-minute mindfulness practice via Zoom. Practices include breath awareness, body scans, loving kindness and other options that can support your ongoing practice in community and on your own. You will need to register using the new link for fall sessions.
Friday Walk and Talks
Join us Friday, September 8 at 12:10 p.m. in front of Beardshear Hall for the first Walk and Talk of the academic year! Every Friday, you can join a group of your colleagues at 12:10 p.m. for a one mile walk around campus. No registration required. As a bonus, you can earn Adventure2 points for participating in Friday Walk and Talks and tracking the activity!
Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship and Visiting Faculty Program Updates
Ceremony and poster session highlights summer intern research
The Laboratory hosted an Awards Ceremony and Poster Session for 28 summer interns who participated in the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program and Visiting Faculty Student Program. Over a luncheon for students and mentors, sponsored by Ames National Laboratory, students received a Certificate of Achievement presented by Ames Lab Director, Adam Schwartz, and Education and Outreach Program Specialist, Kelly Bergman. The ceremony was followed by an open house poster session where students presented their research to attendees.
Fall Term SULI students arrive on campus
Ames National Laboratory welcomed two fall SULI students this week, Diana Castillo and Daniel LaBuda. The students will spend 16 weeks performing research under the guidance of laboratory staff scientists. Thank you to Damien Culver and Alex Travesset for hosting a SULI student for fall term.
Announcements
Travel reimbursements now made via direct deposit
We are excited to announce that Ames Lab travel reimbursements will be made by direct deposit starting Sept. 5, 2023. If you currently receive your payroll through direct deposit then your travel reimbursements will automatically be deposited to the same account. There is nothing you need to do to sign up for this. This is for employees only, and non employees will continue to receive checks. We are excited about this change because it will decrease your wait time and increase the efficiency of processing these payments. Please reach out to travel@ameslab.gov if you have any questions about this change.
Nobel Prize winner Danny Shechtman visits Lab in September
Danny Shechtman, Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, will visit Ames National Lab Sept. 19 - Oct. 6. There are multiple opportunities for people to meet with him, and update him on the many great research activities going on. Please reach out to Sarah Meyer (snsapp@ameslab.gov) if you would like to set up an individual meeting. We want to ensure Dr. Shechtman has a variety of opportunities for engagement.
Ames Lab Fall Family Picnic scheduled for Sept. 21
We are excited to invite you and your families to the Ames Lab fall picnic. The food will be catered by Whatcha Smokin’ in Luther, Iowa. There is no need for you to bring anything except yourselves.
The picnic will be 4-7 p.m. on Sept. 21, at Inis Grove Park in the Walnut Shelter, 2500 Duff Ave, Ames. This is the park where the Ames Miracle Park is located.
Please complete this google form by Sept. 14, so we can get a more accurate count for who will be attending. We look forward to seeing you all there!
NPA Smartskills course available to postdocs
Iowa State University has an organizational membership to the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA). The NPA has wonderful resources to support postdocs. As an Iowa State University Affiliate Member, you are invited to attend the NPA Smartskills course to build skills critical to career and personal success. To create your account and register, 1) click “Affiliate,” 2) use your @iastate.edu email address, and 3) wait for an email from NPA confirming activation.
Transitioning Out of Your Postdoc
Sept. 26, 2023
How can you best prepare oneself for entering a full-time, permanent position after your postdoc. What professional skills do you need to succeed? How should you approach career exploration to best succeed in finding the right position?
Speaker: Chanelle Case Borden, Ph.D., associate director of training programs, National Cancer Institute
Obtaining a Faculty Position
Oct. 24, 2023
Progressing from postdoctoral training to a faculty appointment is a daunting transition, and may be especially challenging to those who have followed a less-than-conventional path or whose peers have lost interest in academic careers. How should you prepare for and progress through the application process, which takes approximately one year, and what should you expect at each step? Good preparation and careful planning are important, as is managing expectations to avoid becoming discouraged early in the process. We will cover how to go about choosing, applying, interviewing, negotiating, transitioning, and getting started in your faculty position.
Speaker: Jim O. Vigoreaux, Ph.D., Breazzano Family Green & Gold Professor of Biology, joint professor of molecular physiology & biophysics, University of Vermont
Science Writing: The Craft and Career Pathways
Nov. 28, 2023
This talk will make you more aware of the variety of jobs across diverse settings for communicating science. But how does one get started? Learn how to find opportunities to do science writing during your postdoc (and get published). Find out how to be more efficient via techniques and tools, including AI language chatbots such as ChatGPT. Learn about courses, fellowships, and mentorship programs if you want to dive deeper into science communications. Attendees will leave with a list of resources and are welcome to bring questions. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the talk.
Speaker: Ellen Kuwana, M.S., scientific writer and editor, Kuwana Consulting LLC
Leadership and Management in Scholarly Research
Dec. 19, 2023
Graduate school and postdoctoral training are designed to make you an independent researcher or scientist, ready to tackle pressing questions and drive cutting-edge research. But running your own research projects and leading a team involves more than applying your scientific skills; it requires managing both people and projects. In this workshop we will discuss approaches to being a leader and a manager, and how to guide and mentor the students, postdocs, and staff that will eventually be part of your amazing, successful team!
Speaker: Garth A. Fowler, Ph.D., assistant professor, director, MS in Clinical Research, co-coordinator, Career Development, Rush University Graduate College